New Barn School prospectus

WelcomeNew Barn School provides highly effective education, therapy, welfare and support for both boys and girls aged from 6 to 16 years who have social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), as well as other complex needs. New Barn differs from most schools as it can offer a bespoke curriculum for every student. Its ethos is based around nurturing, making progress and helping young people feel safe and cared for.

We maintain discipline, but we believe it arises best from children taking responsibility for their own actions. The school places particular emphasis on collaboration. This way our students move on comfortably to engage with education and reach their full potential.

The pupils gain a remarkable trust and rapport with the staff who support them through their personal challenges. This is reflected through the relaxed atmosphere which allows students to concentrate on the complex business of learning, developing, and becoming their own person.

As well as being a Department for Education registered Independent School, New Barn School also takes pupils from the residential homes; Acorn Cottage, Spinney House, Ramsworth Cottage and Ashley.

The school is set in the rural estate of Welford, Berkshire, five miles northwest of Newbury and 11 miles south of Wantage in a newly converted barn. The nearby Welford Park is famous for its snowdrops and for hosting the Bake Off marquee.

and valuesAims

RESPECTLearning to respect ourselves, others and the environment.

EMPOWERStriving to become confident individuals who are independent, emotionally resilient and are equipped with leadership skills for the future.

ACHIEVETo succeed beyond previous expectation, to become responsible citizens and life-long learners.

We Aim To:• Promote a culture in which students feel safe, secure and

have a voice.

• Foster a positive ethos to enhance students’ self-esteem by celebrating success and progress.

• Provide a high level of support where interest is taken in each students’ well-being.

• Provide appropriate behaviour support, specialist and therapeutic intervention.

• Set boundaries and expectations so students learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions.

• Provide an enjoyable, relevant curriculum that addresses individual student needs.

• Ensure that the principles of Every Child Matters underpin our practice.

• Offer opportunities that broaden horizons and lead to national accreditations and certified awards.

• Maintain positive working relationships with all partners and stakeholders.

• Actively promote students’ participation in the local community.

• Value and support all members of the school community.

• Empower all staff to accept shared responsibility for the students in our care.

Our provision is tailored to each student ensuring that their educational, therapeutic and holistic needs are met, and barriers to learning are addressed.

We Provide: Individually designed education and therapeutic programmes, an ethos of mutual respect, trust and high expectations, a positive environment which celebrates and rewards success and progress, full time education in a creative and stimulating environment, emphasis on personal and social development and a pathway to independence, small teaching groups of 3 to 6 and high staff to student ratios.

Shared Values:• All in our community are entitled to equal opportunity

irrespective of gender, race, creed, background or ability.

• We promote the understanding and acceptance needed in a multicultural society and we celebrate the diversity and richness of that society.

• We are committed to working in partnership with others.

• We acknowledge the right to be heard and the responsibility to listen.

• We respect the self-esteem and dignity of others.

• We value the contribution of all the members of our community.

• To work co-operatively in teams and in partnership with others in school, homes and in the community.

• To develop a partnership with carers/parents.

• To own their work within the framework of agreed shared aims and values.

• To be involved in all aspects of our pupils’ development.

• To exercise a duty of care and concern for the wellbeing and safety of all our pupils.

• To maintain the highest professional standards.

Our provision is tailored to each student ensuring that their educational, therapeutic and holistic needs are met, and barriers to learning are addressed.

The Code of Conduct of the New Barn School Community specifies the right for everyone to enjoy their learning and leisure at school free from physical, mental and verbal abuse.

This is a Good school - Ofsted 2017 This is a Good school - This is a Good school -

New Barn School iscommitted to empowering andinspiring individuals to learn, achieve and succeed - Head Teacher

New Barn School aims for students to be safe, happy and to engage positively in their learning and holistic development. The school actively promotes a positive educational culture, through which students’ efforts are privately and publicly acknowledged to celebrate individual achievements and enhance their self-esteem. This creates an environment in which they want to achieve their best.

Qualifications are important but not the only purpose in which New Barn students can fulfil and achieve their full potential.

At New Barn, students aim to arrive at similar destinations as those in more formal educational settings. They just take a different route. The School provides every student with a broad, balanced, differentiated and relevant curriculum based on the National Curriculum guidelines. A comprehensive 14-16 curriculum Pathway is available at New Barn and at local colleges. This offers GCSE, BTEC, ASDAN, NVQ, DofE and other external examinations, catering for their current and future needs.

As students’ progress, they are helped to organize their own time and we guide them in developing their own sense of discipline and academic motivation. In secondary, students meet with their tutor twice daily. By providing structure and support, we encourage independence and responsibility to grow from an early age.

Life in Modern Britain

New Barn School aims to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. We promote fundamental British Values through teaching about democracy, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

British values is taught in all aspects of the curriculum. New Barn School also has regular assemblies dedicated to British Values.

We urge students to follow their natural curiosity. They have a huge range of chances to engage with subjects that interest them, both in and outside the classroom. Accreditations are sought to produce a connection to academic enthusiasm and also the outside world.

Curriculum Primary

Teaching staff are tenacious. They will do everything they can to interest the pupils and ensure that they have the opportunity to learn and succeed.Ofsted 2017

New Barn has a specialist primary school which supports KS1 and KS2 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and encourages them to re-discover the fun in learning, re-engage with education, improve their academic progress and develop essential social and emotional skills.

The school is a converted barn which houses light, flexible learning areas over two floors. The school benefits from a large outdoor play area, garden, kitchen and traditional learning zones for Maths, English, Science, Art and Music.

We specialise in providing a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment where children can explore, have fun and enjoy learning through a range of personalised experiences. We are proud to offer a high staff to student ratio, with a maximum of six students per class.

The curriculum is designed specifically to promote effective learning skills as well as encouraging personal growth and development of the pupils. All formal requirements of the National Curriculum are taught and a range of enriching extra-curricular activities are included regularly.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the SEAL curriculum (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) and the planning of all learning and activities are designed to enhance and further develop the children’s personal and life skills. We support pupils to develop their self-awareness and self-esteem, enabling them to improve their behaviour for learning and allowing them to achieve their potential within a positive and nurturing environment.

All lessons are planned specifically to address the individual needs of the children. Each terms learning is planned to provide opportunities to experience learning off-site and to develop individual interests.

To supplement our learning we have assembly twice a week, SEAL and PSHE. On a Monday we have a pupil led sharing assembly based on our SEAL theme and Friday’s assembly is a celebration of the week’s successes.

Secondary SubjectsGCSE’s• Maths• English• Science• Art and Design• Humanities• Design and Technology

Functional Skills Level 1 & 2• English

• Maths

Number and Measure Level 1 & 2• Maths

BTEC Level 1 & 2• Science• Art and Design• Sport and Leisure• Hair and Beauty• Home Economics

Bronze and CoPE Levels 1 & 2• Asdan

Pupil Centred Provision

The secondary curriculum at New Barn School is tailored to individual needs and helps pupils become;

• Successful learners who enjoy learning, make goodprogress and achieve.

• Confident individuals, able to live safe, healthy andfulfilling lives.

• Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to their local and wider community.

• Effective contributors who communicate in different ways working in partnership with others.

This approach to the curriculum planning ensures that each pupil is at the centre and the curriculum and services they require is tailored to meet their individual needs.

We are proud to offer a high staff to student ratio, with a maximum of six pupils per class. Extensive and individualised resources also allow for a bespoke approach to education and ensure the needs of all the pupils are met.

Each student is supported in identifying and achieving their ambitions through effective transition planning and a comprehensive careers service including support from an independent career advisor. Students are encouraged to voice their views regarding their provision and are involved in setting their own development targets to enable them to realise their short and long term goals.

New Barn School encourages students to develop their learning, leadership and independence skills through a well-balanced curriculum offering academic, creative, practical and physical experiences. Embedded within the fabric of New Barn School is the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development of each student. There is a strong emphasis on learning outside of the classroom making the most of the local facilities. We have developed strong links within our local community with local colleges, businesses, charities and sport centres.

Openness and close collaboration are the guiding principles of all discussion with students. This applies to personal and pastoral matters – the development of the individual – and to discipline and academic progress. Students are involved in their half-termly academic review – this results in a clear understanding with them about their future work and how they will set about it. Our partnership principles (available online) are a clear statement of how we aim to help create the best foundation for successful education and for the healthy relationships that underpin our community.

We have a programme of academic enrichment operating across the curriculum which ensures our most able students are fully stretched. Activities include additional visits, talks and extra-curricular accreditations such as The John Muir award, Duke of Edinburgh, AQA outdoor education and V- certifications.

School Groups

The curriculum is further enriched through the following schemes and activities:

• Curriculum theme days - cross curricular theme days focusing on different cultural and religious events.

• Celebration days - celebrating our students’ achievements, as well as acknowledging key national and international events.

• Work experience - all students in KS4 are offered work experience placements with a variety of local businesses.

• Residential trips - taking in a wide variety of locations.

To find out more about our school curriculum, please contact the school.

The school’s curriculum, in both the primary and secondary phases, is motivating, challenging and teaches pupils about the world outside their own experiences.Ofsted 2017

Many pupils in the school may not have had the chance to mark key moments in their lives, enjoy happy memories and look forward to celebrations. The school makes sure they have such experiences through different religious festivals, sports events, charitable work and performances. Ofsted 2017

Teachers are receptive to how pupils are responding and adapt their approach to maximise learning.Ofsted 2017

Therapeuticapproach

Our therapeutic model recognises that all the children and young people we support are individual and our provision is tailored to meet their needs and wishes from the point of admission and throughout their journey with us.Therapeutic support within the school is led by the Clinical Lead, and is delivered by a core multi-disciplinary team of clinicians made up of Psychology, Psychotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The team are able to undertake a full range of specialist cognitive and mental wellbeing assessments which inform a child or young person’s individual clinical plan and if indicated, offer individual, group, direct and or indirect therapeutic interventions.

The school’s designated team reflects the needs of the children and young people that learn with us, however additional support can also be accessed from other specialists within the wider Clinical Team. This enables us to be responsive to any newly identified, time limited or changing needs of a child or young person throughout their placement with us.

Offering highly specialised screening, assessment, consultation, reflective practice supervision and bespoke training, the embedded Clinical Team work directly with the education team to develop a shared understanding of the child’s presenting needs and difficulties which may act as barriers to their personal and educational development as well as identify areas of strength which can support them to achieve, enjoy and fulfil their aims and wishes.

The clinical team support the education team in developing a pupil centred curriculum which proactively promotes the children and young people’s emotional, social and mental health. We aim to deliver the highest quality provision which maximises each person’s quality of life and personal achievements. All staff are trained in ‘Attachment Theory, ‘Child Development and Understanding Play’ and aspire to using PACE (Playful, Accepting, Curiosity and Empathetic).

Our evidence informed models are based on best practice guidance and are governed through the Outcomes First Group Governance Framework.

The provision a pupil receives at New Barn School is completely matched to their needs. The level of support and intervention a child receives is based upon their level of need. The school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) manages the learning and development support programmes linking closely with the schools Educational Psychologist. Through a robust monitoring system, we are quickly aware of any changes in pupils or any new areas of need that will need to be supported.

We welcome visits from potential parents and carers who wish to consider their child for the school.We currently have strong relationships with a number of educational local authorities and SEN teams in the region, following your visit if you would like to proceed with a placement at the school you will be advised to engage with these teams.

Students also attend via our four residential homes in the Hampshire group; Acorn Cottage, Spinney House, Ramsworth Cottage and Ashley.

The registered age range for pupils is 6 to 16 years old and covers Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Contact with the school is to be made via the School Referral Officer available on 01488 505145.

There is a referral to admission process which is carried out. Once the referral has been received, all information about a prospective student will then be gathered to inform the assessment as to whether the school is able to meet their needs before a decision on placement is made.

For more details of the schools admission processes please refer to the Admissions Policy on the schools website.

Tel: 01488 505145

Email: info@acorncare.co.uk

Staff are energetic, willing to learn and deeply appreciate the role they play in the lives of the pupils in the school.Ofsted 2017

Safeguarding/ Child ProtectionSafeguarding and promoting the welfare of the pupils in our care is our main priority and we expect all staff to share this commitment.

To read our safeguarding and child protection policy please see our website.

The school will offer taster days, which can be from one to three days. Here we can assess what the young person needs to progress and how they will fit in to the curriculum - Head Teacher

Accessing our school

‘A’ had not been attending school for months. He was classed as a school refuser. He now has 100% attendance. He has found a new purpose and enthusiasm since he started at this school. Parent

studyCase

AH wins New Barn School achievement cupAH has been to five placements before he joined New Barn School. When reading his profile I rang the authority as I believed he may be too complex. He had absconded 26 times in a month at the Pupil Referral Unit he had been placed in and his record was certainly an action based read.

On meeting AH you realise he is just misunderstood. He lives in a rural area and being kept in the classroom and asked to stay still is just not going to work.

He needed change. It took a lot of work but gradually he trusted us. We told him we could help him to learn outside the classroom.

AH is not only sport mad, an amazing climber and kayaker, he can ride bikes as well as horses. He has an unbelievable work ethic and a natural curiosity in both agricultural matters but also likes to work with anything mechanical.

AH really looks after our school. He cleans the windows, landscapes the garden, fixes all the breaks and even does the odd bit of decorating.

He has work experience on a farm once a week as well as a placement at the local garage.

He can now settle, stay in class and has a purpose for his learning. His reading and writing levels have suddenly improved and he is really trying hard to catch up with his peers….we believe he will do it!

AH needed time and a different way to learn.

We’re so pleased to see how AH has progressed and believe with our continued support and individualised, bespoke approach to education, he will go far.

Since starting at New Barn, we have no worries about ‘H’ getting up in the morning. He is dressed and ready to go. He simply loves school. He used to hate school and was so unhappy in his school life. New Barn has made such a difference for all the family.Parent

Please see our website and our school handbook for further information on:

• Admissions

• Latest Ofsted report

• School Governance and School Council

• School Curriculum

• Assessment

• Staff at the School

• Policies- Curriculum and Administrative

• Health and Safety

• Equal Opportunities

• Behaviour Management and Recognition

• Safeguarding/ Child Protection

• Complaints Procedure

• Charging Policy

• External Accreditations/Exam Results

• Pupil Voice

• The School Day

• Illness and School Absence

• Medication and Medical Arrangements for Students

• Pupils injured at school

• Fire Drills

www.acornnewbarnschool.co.uk

General informationAll pupils are required to wear a uniform

Uniform

Primary• A white shirt

• Green Jumper with New Barn Crest

• Grey/black trousers or skirt

• Black trainers

Secondary• A white shirt

• Black Jumper with New Barn Crest

• Black Blazer with New Barn Crest

• Grey/black trousers or skirt

• Black trainers

Sportswear• Polo shirt – green for

primary, purple for secondary

• Black shorts

• Black trainers

New Barn School has a uniform code and provides the jumpers, blazers, PE jumpers/hoodies and t-shirts for each pupil. Parents/carers will need to provide the remainder of the uniform.

Address: New Barn School, The Long Barn, Welford, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8HZ

Telephone: 01488 505145

Email: info@acorncare.co.uk

Website: www.acornnewbarnschool.co.uk

Contact details